Underwater, light and colours change with depth. Movements and contrasts can also help a predator spot prey.
An animal can therefore become difficult to see through its colour, but also by hiding its outline or simply staying still.
ACTIVE CAMOUFLAGE
Cuttlefish and octopuses can quickly change their colours and patterns. Octopuses can also alter their skin texture.
These transformations allow them to blend better into their environment.
In cuttlefish and octopuses, they are small sacs containing pigments. Muscles allow them to expand or shrink, quickly changing the skin’s appearance.
Other structures also reflect light and contribute to the colours we see.
PASSIVE CAMOUFLAGE
Their bodies already have colours, shapes or patterns similar to their surroundings. By remaining still, they become even harder to spot.
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